Inspectors are auditing businesses across a range of sectors,
including accommodation and food services, retail, manufacturing
and healthcare and social assistance.

The Northern Rivers region was selected because young workers
are overrepresented in workplace disputes in the area, accounting
for 24.8% of disputes but only 17.8% of the working population.

The region's workforce also has the fourth-highest percentage of
mature-aged workers nationally (29.5%), who may face
vulnerabilities relating to age discrimination and job
security.

The accommodation and food services sector is amongst the
largest employing industries in the region.

Fair Work inspectors will check that employers are complying
with their legal obligations. Including paying employees their
lawful minimum wages and entitlements under the Fair Work Act,
National Employment Standards and relevant Modern Awards.

Inspectors will also check compliance with record-keeping
and pay-slip obligations.

The maximum penalties for failing to keep employee records or
issue pay slips have doubled to $63,000 for a company and $12,600
for an individual, and the maximum penalty for knowingly making or
keeping false or misleading employee records has tripled to $12,600
for an individual.